The availability of unlimited supplies of growth hormone produced by recombinant DNA technology has led to its use in children with short stature due to causes other than classic growth hormone deficiency. The early results of studies of growth hormone treatment of children with Turner's and other identifiable syndromes as well as those with chronic renal failure are encouraging: growth hormone increases growth rate in the short term in almost all of these conditions. In Turner's syndrome, final adult height in a small group of girls is approximately 8 cm above that predicted prior to initiation of therapy. The more general use of growth hormone in these conditions requires that the present trials be completed and that both efficacy, in terms of improved final adult heights, and safety over the long term be demonstrated. Furthermore, growth hormone therapy for conditions not associated with growth hormone deficiency has important ethical and economic implications.
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